The markets traded flat during the midday with the Dow losing 4 points to 13,237 as consumer confidence slipped in February. Nasdaq rose 8 points to 3131.

On the upside

Vermillion (Nasdaq: VRML) narrowed fourth quarter losses more than expected as revenue more than doubled.

Oppenheimer upgraded E-Commerce China Dangdang (NYSE: DANG) to an Outperform rating.

Wabash National (NYSE: WNC) will pay approximately $360 million in cash to acquire Walker Group Holdings.

On the downside

Neurocrine Biosciences (Nasdaq: NBIX) some data inconsistency with a Phase II trial of its NBI-98854 treatment for tardive dyskinesia.

McMoRan Exploration (NYSE: MMR) reported an equipment malfunction at its Davy Jones prospect in the Gulf of Mexico.

Canaccord Genuity initiated coverage of MetroPCS (NYSE: PCS) with a Buy rating.

In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of more than 10 to 9 on both the NYSE and on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks eased a point to 844.